El Paso’s Famous Swim Mascots Gus & Goldie Debut New Modern Look

El Paso's famous swim mascots, Gus and Goldie, are sporting a new look!

For decades Gus & Goldie have been teaching El Pasoans how to swim, and now the dynamic duo received a 'fish lift' debuting a new modern look.

On Friday, El Paso's famous swim mascots, Gus and Goldie, were welcomed by El Paso families at Memorial Aquatic Center.

El Paso Parks and Recreation took the opportunity to debut the pair during a free swim night at the aquatic center, where dozens of families showed up for a swim and took photos with the new versions of Gus and Goldie.

Apart from families attending the reveal, the family of William Cowan, one of the co-creators of Gus & Goldie, was also present.

The swimming duo was initially co-created in 1979 as hand puppets by William Cowan and Gayle Vokes to promote the Learn to Swim program in El Paso. Soon after, Gus and Goldie grew into life-size mascots and branched out as a franchise model to other markets. 

Gus and Goldie's modern look does keep the same color scheme and keeps the mascot's accessories, such as Gus' hat and Goldie's red bow. However, the character's googly eyes are gone, and Goldie's exaggerated iconic lashes have also been tamed down and replaced.

So, what do you think of Gus and Goldie's new refreshed look?

Even though Gus & Goldie's are sporting a new revamped look, their swim safety message remains the same. Over the years, their trademark has expanded to safety videos, educational tools, activity books, t-shirts, and other merchandise, including a video counting down vital swim rules.

As El Paso's aquatic centers slowly reopen, only five facilities are currently open to the public, including: 

• Eastside Natatorium at The Beast - 13501 Jason Crandall, El Paso, TX 79938 
• Marty Robbins Aquatic Center at 11600 Vista Del Sol Dr., El Paso, TX 79936 
• Memorial Aquatic Center at 3251 Copper Ave., El Paso, TX 79930 
• Veterans Aquatic Center at 5301 Salem Dr., El Paso, TX 79924 
• Westside Natatorium at 650 Wallenberg Dr., El Paso, TX 79912 

And keep an eye out for Gus and Goldie because you never know which aquatic center they might pop up around El Paso.